Member Spotlight—Vanessa Turner, MSN, RN, CCM

ASPIRE Concierge Care & INSPIRE Care & Support Services

Issue No. 66 · Spring 2020

Tell me about your current practice?

Aspire Concierge Care is an independent geriatric care

management practice that is paired with a sister licensed non-

medical home care practice called Inspire Care and Support

Services. We combined practices to ensure that we can provide

and supervise quality caregivers for our geriatric clients, if the

need for personal care arises.

As of right now, we are the only geriatric care management

practice that services Northwest Indiana. Also, since we are on the

border of Indiana and Illinois, we extend services to the

Chicagoland area.

How long have you been a member of the ALCA? What’s your best experience thus far?

I have been a member of ALCA since January 2020. My experience so far, has been wonderful.

There are a lot of resources available for care managers who are venturing in the entrepreneur

route. I also love the networking emails. Members are so helpful when questions arise

regarding our respective individual practices, regardless of location.

Tell us about something you do in your business that really helps you get you results?

Strategic networking has helped me to get results. I attend vendor and social events centered

around senior care and resources. I have also joined my local Chamber of Commerce and meet

monthly with potential referral sources within the healthcare industry. Surprisingly, a lot of

healthcare professionals do not know that geriatric care managers exist, so during my

networking events, I have the opportunity to educate others regarding our services and the

benefits we provide.

What is an area of running your practice where you want to grow your expertise?

An area that I would like to learn more of is collaborating with elder care attorneys.

(Continued on following page.)

Member Spotlight—Vanessa Turner, MSN, RN, CCM

ASPIRE Concierge Care & INSPIRE Care & Support Services

(Continued from previous page.)

Tell us about a best clinical practice used in your business? What do you want to learn more about

from a clinical perspective?

I would say my best clinical practice is my extensive nursing background. In addition to

providing resources to help assist the client, our nurse care managers can educate families/

clients to better manage their chronic care conditions, prevent hospitalizations and be an

advocate for them in this overwhelming healthcare system.

Marketing, sales and branding are so important to a successful practice. What is your best tip? What

is something you thought would work but just didn’t get the results you wanted?

Invest in marketing. I’ve learned that people may not remember your face, but they will

remember your name/brand. Especially if you are a new business. I brand my business

through vendor events and I wear my company’s clothing (jackets, t-shirts, etc.) daily. Now

when I attend events and introduce myself, they say “Hey, I’ve heard of ASPIRE before.”

Something that I thought would work in terms of marketing but did not is email marketing.

Although, I’ve had a few respond back from email campaigns, it became apparent quickly that

relationship building required frequent face to face interactions.

Conferences both the Midwest and National are important opportunities for members. What is your

favorite conference take away or memory?

I have not had the opportunity to attend a conference yet, but I plan to do so in the near future.

What is the dream for your practice?

To expand and become a trusted name in geriatric care management in the Northwest Indiana

region.

What's your favorite moment of your running your practice so far?

Obtaining my first client. Of course, I’ve worked with hundreds of geriatric clients working for

other companies but obtaining my first one independently and being able to provide the care

that I choose was liberating.

How did you get into Aging Life Care™?

I have worked with seniors almost my entire nursing career in

a variety of settings, however, when I started providing care

management services to seniors, I found my true passion.

And for fun what is your “guilty pleasure” in life: What can you not

live without?

Traveling alone. It’s my much-needed form of self-care.

PRESIDENTIAL

MOMENTS KARI KLATT

CHAPTER PRESIDENT 2019-2021

Better Together

Covid-19 will surely provide many lessons that will have a lasting impact. When we are able to look

back, I want to remember how we worked together, supporting our clients and their families, health

care providers and each other. The dissemination of accurate and timely information is key, and I

have provided some helpful websites below.

ALCA has been out in front with important messaging, forums and webinars. The Midwest Chapter

would like to also support chapter members. Stay tuned for opportunities to join your colleagues to

share information, strategies to assist clients and families during this health crisis and to support each

other.

While the Midwest is not where the East and West coasts are today, this is the time for practicing what

we can do to curb the spread of the virus with the goal of “flattening the curve”. The CDC

recommends:

Limit non-essential travel.

Cancel non-essential health care.

Avoid gathering of more than 10 people.

Practice social distancing which is 6 feet or more between people.

If you are not feeling well stay home.

If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath stay home, notify your health care provider,

monitor your symptoms and shelter in place.

Responding to a health crisis can be both rewarding and challenging work. Stress during a crisis can

cause burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Sources of stress are witnessing human suffering,

risk of personal harm, life and death decisions, intense workloads, separation of others and concerns

regarding employment and the economy. Stress management is critical for responders to stay well

and to continue to help others. Here are just a few self-care techniques.

Limit working hours to no longer than 12-hour shifts.

Take regular breaks that include some exercise and healthy foods.

Connect with others using video conferencing, social media and by phone.

Get adequate sleep.

Set reasonable boundaries.

Take a break from media coverage.

Additional resources:

www.cdc.gov

Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Calls/Webinars:

Subject matter experts present key emergency preparedness and response topics,

followed by meaningful Q&A with participants.

COVID-2019 Publications

SBA.gov

Department of Health and Human Services

Local Health Departments

Take Good Care, Kari

Now is a good time to market your business and review materials used

to introduce your services.

These are marketing ideas I’ve collected over time, some to use now,

some for the post COVID19 future.

Let’s grow together and show what a difference an ALCA care manager

can make!

1. Things in motion stay in motion: Small commitments lead to bigger

ones, think dating.

2. Ask questions, they control the conversation. Identify problems, show

solutions. Go in knowing what you want them to think and feel. Listen. Mirror their energy.

3. Give! Invite, introduce, inform. Reciprocity is the goal.

4. Be nice. Give original compliments. Think it, say it!

5. Give evidence. Proof is in the numbers…6 million sold, 50 employees, biggest whatever, use

percentages.

6. Trust. Diplomas certifications, titles, even uniforms, are short cuts to trust. As well, bring up

problems so solutions can be discussed…those who invite discussion of problems allow others

to feel a sense of trust.

(Continued on following page.)

PRESIDENTIAL MOMENTS

(Continued from previous page.)

Marketing Notes

Sharon Gorman, CMC Certified Care Management, LLC

7. Supply and demand…limited numbers, limited time,

deadlines…reasons to act now.

8. Everyone is tuned into WIIFM, What’s in it for me. We

can’t help it, we listen to find out how to get our needs

met. Your job…know enough about them to figure this

out. Do they want to appear helpful to the office, get

out early on Fridays, get regular feedback,

reputation…

9. Use names. Brain focuses on self, survival need. Brain keeps it’s owner alive.

10. Have a reason to go back. Drop material, seeing someone else in the hospital. Plan event,

introduce a colleague or client.

11. Look for clues. Missions, decor, dress to find out what matters.

12. Celebrate. Themes make sense in a busy word. Holidays are a time of disappointment, you can

make it better. Birthdays, appreciated and special.

13. Get agreement and then follow up. Ask for feedback, surveys, testimonials.

14. Consider your expertise and their need.

15. Make connections with common interests through talk or outside groups. Think hobby, religion,

passions, volunteer interests.

16. Do coffee, lunch, happy hour, attend an event together. Bringing in is convenient but getting

people off site creates deeper connection.

17. Call, text, email and definitely MAIL notes. Ask preference!

18. Present together, teach, in-service, ask favors or advice.

19. People work with who they know, like and trust. Use social media, FB especially.

20. Give gift cards, cookies, creative items.

21. Be persistent and consistent. A lot of information taken in by each person each day…takes 7

interactions to create traction.

We only way we all grow is together! Happy Marketing everyone!

Sharon Gorman, CMC

Certified Care Management, LLC

Chesterfield, Missouri

Marketing Notes

Sharon Gorman, CMC—Certified Care Management, LLC (Continued from previous page.)

There’s nothing like a New Year to encourage a fresh perspective on

opportunities and challenges. I appreciate the opportunity to

participate in the Annual Chapter President’s Meeting in January

followed by the Midwest Chapter’s Board Retreat also in January.

Each year our chapter works to align our annual initiatives with

national’s strategy. With our first merged year behind us, our board is

focused on representation on committees at the national level so that

local efforts are aligned, strategic and supported, because we know we

are Better Together. This year we will continue to focus on membership growth, education and best

practices. Increasing membership will help support local, regional and national initiatives. Growing

our membership will require all of us. Several of our units have also been active in raising funds

through networking or social events to help fund alliance opportunities at the state and local level

while also be able to give generously to ALCA’s Member Support Fund and other local nonprofit

organization. We will also continue to publish a quarterly newsletter.

The Midwest Chapter, like other chapters, has had some challenges in recruiting the next generation

of care managers and qualified board members. Our 2020 Board is a mighty team of 11 professionals

down from 12-15 members historically. At our retreat we also prioritized our initiatives and resources

and made the difficult decision to retire our peer case conferencing and mentoring; members will

continue to receive support through units.

Midwest Chapter News

By Kari Klatt

Midwest Board get’s together to discuss ways to enhance our Midwest Units!

ALCA Midwest Chapter Board Retreat

Columbus, Ohio

Chapter President Kari Klatt

from Wisconsin

Sharon Gorman of Missouri Bridget Ritossa of Ohio

Jeanna Sartorius from

Minneapolis and Maureen

Jensen from Marquette, IL

Trudy Murray Jeffersonville, IN

Patricia Graff Chicago, IL

Welcome New

ALCA Members!

We want this to be THE Premium Newsletter

for Long Term Care & Geriatric Issues

Send us suggestions/info on:

Seminars

Educational Opportunities

Newsworthy Info

Personnel Changes

Material Closing Dates / Issue Published

December 15th / January 15th

March 15th / April 15th

June 15th / July 15th

September 15th / October 15th

For more information contact:

Ann Burke, ann@ourcarelink.com

Sharon Gorman, Chair, sharon@certifiedcm.com

Ruth Force, ruth@indianageriatrics.com

The Midwest Chapter encourages you to participate in a local unit. For the nearest unit click here or to

start one in your area contact Judy Mange or Maureen Jensen.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE UNIT LEADERS LIST

Midwest ALCA Unit Leaders

Midwest ALCA Board of Directors

The ALCA Midwest Chapter welcomes its new Board Members for 2020, Paula Dunlap and Shanna

Huber. Click here for the full list of your Midwest Chapter Board leadership.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CURRENT BOARD LIST.

Midwest ALCA Peer Case Conferences

Peer Case Conference Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

Date and latest information on your member benefit, Peer Care Conference Calls